Anthropometric parameters and metabolic risks among amateur adolescent swimmers

OBJECTIVE: To estimate selected anthropometric variables and metabolic risks among amateur adolescent swimmers. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study, standard anthropometric measurements were made on 220 swimmers aged 11-21 years. Data were used to estimate anthropometric parameters and to assess metabolic risk by comparing participants’ measurements to standard cut-off points. RESULTS: Mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.23 ñ 3.85 kg/m3 and fell within the 3rd and 85th percentile for children. Mean waist circumference (WC) was 69.83 ñ 8.08 cm, and based on WC for age, 97.7% swimmers were at “low risk” and 2.3% were at “high risk” for becoming obese. Mean body fat percentage (BFP) was 21.20 ñ 9.27, with 55.1% swimmers classified as “normal fat” or optimal. The mean for visceral fat (VF) was 4.77 ñ 2.90. Mean skeletal muscle mass was 38.33 ñ 6.36%. Statistically significant differences were observed between mean values for height (p < 0.001), weight (p = 0.011), mid upper-arm circumference (MUAC) (p = 0.035), and VF (p = 0.033) for males and females. BMI measurements identified four swimmers as underweight, 39 and 19 as overweight and obese, respectively. WC measurement placed 35 swimmer in the “under fat” category, 32 in the “over fat” category, and 22 were considered “obese”. For VF, 1 swimmer recorded a high measurement while for percent skeletal muscle mass (SMM), 5 swimmers were classed as “very high,” 15 “high,” 9 “normal,” and 1 low. CONCLUSION: Based on BMI, WC, body fat percentages, and VF, the majority of swimmers had a healthy body composition and at low metabolic risk.

A preliminary study of the indices of obesity among select group of apparently healthy Caribbean subjects

The purpose of this study was to assess the anthropometric indices of obesity among apparently healthy Caribbean subjects who have the potentials of living an affluent lifestyle. One hundred and eleven (38 males, 73 females) young adults aged between 17 and 38 years participated in the study. Subjects provided information on age, ethnic group, educational attainment, occupation, and previous record of body mass index (BMI) and family history of diabetes mellitus in a self-administered research questionnaire. Waist and hip circumferences (cm), weight (kg) and height (m) were measured. Subsequently, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H) were calculated. The majority of the subjects (83 percent) had never measured BMI. Although the male subjects were significantly taller and heavier than the females (p<0.01), there was no significant difference in the prevalence rates of obesity between the male and female subjects (p>0.05). In this preliminary study there was a trend for more females than males to be under weight (BMI< 20 kg/m2). The male subjects had significantly higher waist circumference than the females (p< 0.01), but both genders had a similar percentage of male and female subjects with increased waist circumference (p>0.05). The limitations of this study are its small size and self selection bias and hence the results obtained must be interpreted with caution. We suggest that assesment of body mass index should be incorporated in the routine clinical measurements of all patients to facilitate early identification, evaluation and treatment of overweight and obesity. (AU)

Second trimester placental volumes predict birth size

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of second trimester placental volume to predict birth size. DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospective study of women attending the antenatal clinic of the University Hospital of the West Indies. SUBJECTS: 561 women were recruited from the antenatal clinic. Placental volume and foetal biometry at 14, 17 and 20 weeks' gestation were measured. At birth, placental and newborn's weight, lengths and circumferences were measured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Birth and placental weight, head, chest, abdominal, and mid-upper-arm circumferences, crown-heel and crown-rump length and placental volume. RESULTS: Placental volume in the second trimester showed a positive association to birth measurements. Ponderal index and head: length ratio showed no significant associations with placental volume, but there was a significant relationship between placental volume at 20 weeks' gestation and head: abdominal circumference ratio. The placental volume at 20 week gestation had the greatest effect on birth weight, and when placental volume was compared to foetal biometry in predicting birth outcome, placental volume was superior. CONCLUSION: In this study, second trimester placental volume has been shown to be an independent predictor of birth outcome, at a time when foetal biometry was not. It was not until the third trimester that foetal biometry became important. Identification of the growth retarded foetus is desirable in obstetrics for proper management. Earlier indication of this process is presumably important. It appears that in the second trimester, placental volume may be a more reliable predictor than foetal biometry.(AU)

National survey of children's health in Trinidad and Tobago: results for weight, body mass index and skinfold thickness

OBJECTIVE: To measure weight for height and skinfold thickness as indicators of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of primary school children in Trinidad and Tobago. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. Measurements were made of children's heights, weights, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated for weight and body mass index (BMI) using age and sex specific British growth reference curves for 1990 as standard. SDS for skinfolds were calculated using English children in 1990 for reference. RESULTS: Measurements were made for 6,731 children in 66 schools. After excluding missing values, data were analysed for 6,343 children. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of fat distribution differed from the reference population. Although values for body mass index and triceps skinfold were lower, high subscapular skinfold values suggested excess central adiposity in this population.(Au)

The prediction of total body fat from simple field anthropometry

This paper postulates a simple method of deriving total body fat from measurements commonly taken in field anthropometry. It proposes a model and tests it with a sample of young children in Jamaica against alternative measurements of body composition derived from estimates of total body potassium obtained in a liquid scintillation counter

The nutritional status of Jamaican pre-school children in 1978: with comparison with a previous survey

The nutritional status of pre-school children in Jamaica was assessed by measurements of weight, length/height and arm circumference. The prevalence of undernutrition has been reduced, compared with data obtained in 1970. The reduction has been mainly in the prevalence of mild nutrition